Enrich Yourself and Help Others

By Tom Barnett 

People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. But working on STC activities can be a huge benefit to yourself and an important part of your career development. Belonging to STC enhances your knowledge and professional network. Volunteering takes that to a much higher level. 

The technical communications community that is the Phoenix Chapter, its programs and networking opportunities, is possible only because of the volunteers that make it so.

How STC Volunteering Helps You

Software Skills. Working on STC documents has improved my skills in ALL the software I use. EVERY company project I have worked on has benefited in some way. 

Technology Skills. Often times, from the experience of producing STC documents through an outside vendor or in a new delivery method, I was able to bring the technology to my company to do the same there. 

Graphic Skills. Technical communicators typically do not have a reputation of possessing very good graphics skills, and I think that has something to do with practice. STC documents and the chapter and Society Web pages have given me practice and helped me refine my graphics skills.

Meeting and Speaking Skills. Working with a group of people at ten board of directors meetings per year, and several committees, has enhanced my interpersonal communications skills and conflict management skills immeasurably. Note: Volunteer opportunities exist that do not require meeting attendance. 

Planning and Management Skills. Most chapter jobs require a person to plan. Some, like chapter presidents, require a great deal of planning, even possibly encompassing multiple years. 

People Skills and Conflict Management. In a volunteer organization, the people involved have differing levels of commitment, resources available (time and energy), and whatnot to give to STC. Most groups benefit from having multiple opinions freely expressed in a supportive environment. Learning how to deal with different personalities and different opinions has been very useful in my job when dealing with technical people and other technical communications people. 

Volunteer Positions in the Phoenix Chapter 

If you are interested in working in some area of chapter activity, even areas that have current volunteers, we will try to develop something where you can help out doing what you are interested in. Let us know.  

The following positions in the chapter are currently open:

• Public Relations

• Volunteers Manager

• Hospitality (reservations)

The following areas will need volunteers by June:

• International Technical Writing Competition Manager

• Web Site Team

• Newsletter Committee members 

• Southwest Regional Publication, Art, and Online Competitions chapter liaison (PAO)

• PAO judges 

• Program Committee members

The Nominating Committee is finalizing the slate of candidates for the chapter's administrative council. If you are interested in getting your name on the ballot see the member nomination process page. Ballots positions include:

• President 

• Vice President

• Secretary 

• Treasurer 

• Programs 

• Membership Manager 

• Nominating Committee 

See the elections page for descriptions of the officer positions.